Work on State Street garage could be moot

Published: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 5:27 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 5:27 p.m.

SARASOTA - City officials and residents weighed in on the layout and look of a $7.3 million downtown garage Tuesday, despite the city's legal bind.

In a couple of weeks, a judge could render any work done on their suggestions by the design and engineering company A.D. Morgan invalid.

But, city staff said, at least they will have the input.

Citizens for Sunshine, an open government group, sued the city after an employee changed the ranking of the companies that applied for the State Street Parking Garage design and engineering bid. The employee made the change, which moved A.D. Morgan to first place, after staff noticed they failed to give the company extra points because it is a Minority Business Enterprise.

The city needed to hold a public meeting to change A.D. Morgan's score, according to the city attorney and Citizens for Sunshine. Instead, the switch was done behind the scenes. It was an accidental slip-up, City Attorney Robert Fournier said.

Later, Sarasota held a public meeting to correct the Sunshine Law breach. Fournier thinks that should have cured the issue, but Citizens for Sunshine disagrees.

The group filed an injunction that, if granted by a judge later this month, could invalidate the work A.D. Morgan has done, said Andrea Mogensen, the group's attorney. In the meantime, Mogensen said the city should move slowly on the project or could risk losing a lot of money.

But Sarasota is obligated to finish the project by February 2015 under an agreement with Pineapple Square, a group of retailers in the area.

“The commission told us to move forward,” Purchasing Manager Mary Tucker said of the decision to hold public meetings Tuesday. The staff had the meetings to find out what the public wants, Tucker said, and will be able to use the information even if A.D. Morgan's contract becomes invalid.

“Whether it's A.D. Morgan or anyone else, we still have to do this process,” she said.

Project Manager Josh Harden led three public meetings Tuesday with different boards and the public. He reiterated that the design and engineering team is still just gathering ideas.

“It's like herding cats, we're trying to get everybody's feedback,” Harden said. When they have it, they will present ideas to the City Commission in May and ask the commissioners to narrow down the field of suggestions for the project.

The “cat herding” has to be done fairly quickly.

Sarasota officials plan to have the engineering and design completed by the end of this year and construction done before 2015.

But for now, people working on the project must manage many different visions of the garage.

During a Downtown Improvement District meeting, some members were less than impressed with an initial idea of putting stairs and elevators at Lemon Avenue and State Street. They asked the company to keep the corner free of elevators and focus on making it a commercial-friendly space for a store or restaurant.

The desire to make the project welcoming to commercial, retail or residential interests, as well as an easy place to park a car, complicates the design.

“The primary project is a parking garage,” Parking Manager Mark Lyons reminded the district's board. He said people need to be able to efficiently come in and out of the building.

“We are trying to compliment the surrounding businesses, not make this a business in and of itself,” Chief Planner Steve Stancel said.

To build the garage, the city is eliminating the existing public parking lot in the area and is considering removing parallel parking along part of State Street.

While A.D. Morgan's initial garage design has 433 spaces, the city only comes out with about 250 more spots than before, DID board member Mark Kauffman pointed out.

“I think you're under-utilizing it,” Kauffman said.

He suggested the designer add another level to the five-story garage.

Harden told Kauffman, and others who suggested LED lighting and additions to provide shade, that there is only so much a $7.3 million budget will allow.

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - City officials and residents weighed in on the layout and look of a $7.3 million downtown garage Tuesday, despite the city's legal bind.</p><p>In a couple of weeks, a judge could render any work done on their suggestions by the design and engineering company A.D. Morgan invalid.</p><p>But, city staff said, at least they will have the input.</p><p>Citizens for Sunshine, an open government group, sued the city after an employee changed the ranking of the companies that applied for the State Street Parking Garage design and engineering bid. The employee made the change, which moved A.D. Morgan to first place, after staff noticed they failed to give the company extra points because it is a Minority Business Enterprise.</p><p>The city needed to hold a public meeting to change A.D. Morgan's score, according to the city attorney and Citizens for Sunshine. Instead, the switch was done behind the scenes. It was an accidental slip-up, City Attorney Robert Fournier said.</p><p>Later, Sarasota held a public meeting to correct the Sunshine Law breach. Fournier thinks that should have cured the issue, but Citizens for Sunshine disagrees.</p><p>The group filed an injunction that, if granted by a judge later this month, could invalidate the work A.D. Morgan has done, said Andrea Mogensen, the group's attorney. In the meantime, Mogensen said the city should move slowly on the project or could risk losing a lot of money. </p><p>But Sarasota is obligated to finish the project by February 2015 under an agreement with Pineapple Square, a group of retailers in the area.</p><p>“The commission told us to move forward,” Purchasing Manager Mary Tucker said of the decision to hold public meetings Tuesday. The staff had the meetings to find out what the public wants, Tucker said, and will be able to use the information even if A.D. Morgan's contract becomes invalid.</p><p>“Whether it's A.D. Morgan or anyone else, we still have to do this process,” she said.</p><p>Project Manager Josh Harden led three public meetings Tuesday with different boards and the public. He reiterated that the design and engineering team is still just gathering ideas.</p><p>“It's like herding cats, we're trying to get everybody's feedback,” Harden said. When they have it, they will present ideas to the City Commission in May and ask the commissioners to narrow down the field of suggestions for the project. </p><p>The “cat herding” has to be done fairly quickly.</p><p>Sarasota officials plan to have the engineering and design completed by the end of this year and construction done before 2015. </p><p>But for now, people working on the project must manage many different visions of the garage.</p><p>During a Downtown Improvement District meeting, some members were less than impressed with an initial idea of putting stairs and elevators at Lemon Avenue and State Street. They asked the company to keep the corner free of elevators and focus on making it a commercial-friendly space for a store or restaurant.</p><p>The desire to make the project welcoming to commercial, retail or residential interests, as well as an easy place to park a car, complicates the design.</p><p>“The primary project is a parking garage,” Parking Manager Mark Lyons reminded the district's board. He said people need to be able to efficiently come in and out of the building.</p><p>“We are trying to compliment the surrounding businesses, not make this a business in and of itself,” Chief Planner Steve Stancel said.</p><p>To build the garage, the city is eliminating the existing public parking lot in the area and is considering removing parallel parking along part of State Street. </p><p>While A.D. Morgan's initial garage design has 433 spaces, the city only comes out with about 250 more spots than before, DID board member Mark Kauffman pointed out.</p><p>“I think you're under-utilizing it,” Kauffman said. </p><p>He suggested the designer add another level to the five-story garage.</p><p>Harden told Kauffman, and others who suggested LED lighting and additions to provide shade, that there is only so much a $7.3 million budget will allow. </p><p>“The challenge right now is money,” he said.</p>